Polyurethane helps create first turbine blade with carbon nanotubes

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland said that they have made the first polyurethane wind turbine blade reinforced with carbon nanotubes. The blade's material makes it lighter and up to eight times more robust than designs made with materials such as epoxy resin and fiberglass, the researchers said. "The idea behind all this is the need to develop stronger and lighter materials, which will enable manufacturing of blades for larger rotors," said researcher Marcio Loos.